First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter - TFA - Vehicles (Class III) (Space)

The elite of the First Order starfighter pilots have access to specialized craft, such as two-seater TIE craft outfitted with enhanced weapons and sensor systems.

Sometimes people need a load of bricks dropped on them before they wake up to see what really has happened. This is especially true for those who don’t see issues with how Hasbro is handling the 3.75” toy line. If the First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter is any indication, we’re in for a very disappointingly bumpy ride because this Class II vehicle just doesn’t remotely represent what magnificent ships Hasbro has made even a few short years ago. Sure, the First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter has a seemingly great sculpt, but the quality of the craftsmanship is going to have you very disappointed. For reasons unknown, Hasbro has cast this vehicle is a very rubbery plastic. This is especially true for the wings as they cannot hold up the weight of the cockpit and bow very quickly when displayed. This was never an issue for vehicles in any line that we can think of to date. Sure, there were a few soft parts here and there to prevent injury or breakage, but this is just purely offensive. What’s worse, the First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter sells for an expensive $39.99 and old timers know what $39.99 bought just a few short years ago.

Like so many other pieces of merchandise in The Force Awakens line, the release of the First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter is more frustrating than anything else. It’s a beautiful design, albeit it has been tooled on a much smaller scale sadly. But the detail is impressive and we love the way it should look.... on paper that is. The final product is absolutely disappointing. The red color flashes on the very dark body of the First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter is a nice touch. And because this is a “special forces” TIE fighter, the cockpit houses two pilots, something that is a first for the Star Wars universe. Had this been cast in tougher plastic, the vehicle would have resonated more strongly with collectors (despite its small scale). Even methods to fix the bowing of the wings last only temporarily. Whether you utilize hot water or hot air, the wings will once again collapse under the pressure and we find it so disappointing that it isn’t remotely funny. Why must things look so incredible only to be diminished by inferior final products? This crosses other types of toys too, like the Build A Weapon and Armor Up figures. There is some major breakdown and disconnect Hasbro is having with the collecting community.

Included with the First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter is a First Order TIE Fighter Pilot pack-in figure. Unlike the Build A Weapon figure, this version comes with a removable helmet and the pilot has a very generic human face. Actually, the face is so generic it barely looks like a believable Star Wars character. We’re not exactly sure what that means either, so we’ll just say that the figure looks much better with the helmet on and in place anyway. The pack-in figure is essentially all-new, but it is clear that they relied on the legs of the the regular 2015 TFA First Order TIE Fighter Pilot Build A Weapon (Space) figure, but may have tweaked them in one or two places here and there. We’re willing to bet that they’ve been completely reused and not altered, but there are just a few spots which has us questioning otherwise. But probably for all intents and purposes you can consider the pack-in figure all-new. The great news is that the First Order TIE Fighter Pilot fits like a glove in the cockpit seat. It could fit better and we’re quite amazed that this has been so masterfully orchestrated. (It’s hard to get excited for things like this anymore.) In conclusion, the First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter is an overpriced and half-baked product. Kids probably won’t realize how much they’ve been shortchanged, but the whiny collectors will. And we’re proud whiny collectors.